Webinar – Introduction to the Private APR Process for protecting farmland in Massachusetts

Friday, November 14, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:30pm, via Teams

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is hosting a webinar introduction to the new Private APR Guidance and related process.  Private APRs are an important tool for protecting agricultural land.  A Private APR is an Agricultural Preservation Restriction where the easement/restriction is held by (or co-held by) an entity other than MDAR. MDAR has updated its guidance on Private APRs.

The new private APR guidance has been developed to better inform partners about MDAR’s process on approving private APRs. The March 2025 update adds details on minimum size required for eligibility, clarifies that commercial forestry operations are eligible for protection and other information to address questions raised by MDAR staff and partners over the last few years.

This webinar will explain how Private APRs differ from other farmland protection tools, share stories of successful Private APRs, walk through the process and discuss next steps.   There will be time for questions and answers.

This webinar is oriented towards land trusts, municipalities and other organizations with some existing experience in land conservation.

Learn more about Private APRs and register on the new Private webpage.

For more information (not for registrations), please contact Ron Hall Ronald.hall@mass.gov